October Health – 2025 Report

Life changes in Zimbabwe

Economic instability—primarily unemployment and inflation-driven financial hardship—is the leading life-change stressor for Zimbabwe's population. Macroeconomic volatility, currency instability, and climate shocks compound financial and housing pressures across communities. In workplaces, mitigate this with financial wellness programs, supportive management, and accessible mental health resources (e.g., October digital group sessions).

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Life changes Prevalence
23.5%
Affected people
12,925,000

Impact on the people of Zimbabwe

  • Physical health: Sleep disruption, fatigue, headaches or muscle tension, appetite changes, and potential immune system weakening with prolonged stress.

  • Mental health: Increased anxiety or worry, mood swings or depressive symptoms, and ruminating thoughts.

  • Cognitive/functional effects: Difficulties concentrating, slower decision-making, and reduced motivation or energy for tasks.

  • Personal relationships: More frequent conflicts, withdrawal from others, and strain in parenting or caregiving roles.

  • Workplace consequences: Lower productivity and focus, more errors, and higher rates of absenteeism or presenteeism.

  • Coping and protection: Build healthy routines, lean on social support, seek professional help when needed (e.g., digital programs like October), and avoid unhealthy coping (excess alcohol, junk coping).

  • Zimbabwe context: Economic pressures and variable access to healthcare can amplify these effects, though strong family and community networks can provide protective support.

Impact on the Zimbabwe Economy

  • Productivity and labor output decline due to absenteeism, presenteeism, and cognitive fatigue from life changes; in Zimbabwe’s volatile economy, this can slow GDP growth and reduce overall productivity.

  • Higher health and social costs as stress-related conditions increase demand for care, potentially straining public health resources and private insurers.

  • Talent retention challenges and turnover, leading to recruitment and training costs and skill gaps, affecting sectors like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.

  • Weaker consumer demand and economic confidence as households reallocate budgets to cope with shocks, reducing discretionary spending and impacting SMEs and local markets.

What can government do to assist?

  1. Strengthen social protection to cushion financial shocks
  • In Zimbabwe, prioritize timely cash transfers and price stabilization to buffer inflation-driven life-change stress.
  1. Expand access to affordable healthcare and integrated mental health services
  • Integrate mental health into primary care, subsidize essential medicines, and use mobile/telehealth options to reach remote areas.
  1. Invest in housing stability and basic utilities
  • Provide rent support, affordable housing schemes, and reliable access to water and electricity to reduce displacement and cost-of-living pressures.
  1. Promote family-friendly policies and community support
  • Offer paid parental leave, flexible work arrangements, caregiver support, and invest in community centers to strengthen social ties.
  1. Build mental health literacy and resilience with scalable options
  • Run public awareness and school/workplace programs; develop crisis response mechanisms; partner with digital platforms (e.g., October) to deliver group sessions and mental health content at scale.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

  • Flexible work arrangements and predictable scheduling to accommodate life events (remote/hybrid options, flexible hours, advance notice for changes).
  • Compassionate leave and paid time off for major life changes (bereavement, childbirth, caregiving, relocation) with clear, simple policies.
  • Accessible confidential support through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital resources (October group sessions, assessments, and mental health content) for transitions.
  • Manager training and standardized support processes: empathetic communication, proactive check-ins, and a life-change support plan to reduce isolation and stigma.
  • Practical and financial support: benefits navigation, financial planning resources, caregiving assistance, and connections to local community resources.